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The QC, Vol. 76, No. 16 • March 15, 1990

1990_03_15_p001

QUAKER CAMPU
Volume LXXVI, Number 16
The Voice of Whittier College Since 1914
March 15, 1990
Center of Attention: Dean of College Life Dick
Archer has brought controversy upon himself
recently with decisions on pledging policy and
a controversial selection of Resident Advisors
for next year.
Students Unhappy Over Lack
Of Communication In RA Issue
By Chris Perkins
QC Managing Editor
A decision by Dick
Archer, dean of College Life,
to hand-pick the seven
Resident Advisors who will
serve under him in his role
as a Faculty Master next
year has disgruntled many
current and prospective
RA's.
Archer's action is a
break from past years, in
which decisions regarding
RA positions have been
made by the director of
Residence Life and his or
her staff.
The students involved
complain that Archer's
action, and the delay in
notifying prospective RA's
of his decision, is unfair to
those who had considered
applying for an RA position
next year.
"There's a selection
process which has been
followed for years on this
campus, and this process
has been ignored," said
Sherrie Hill, a current RA
in Ball Hall.
Those who criticize the
process say that students
who registered for INTD 15:
Residential Living
Management, a
prerequisite for the paid
position of residence
advisor, have much less
chance of obtaining an RA
position with only 16 slots
available, instead of the
full 23 they had understood
to be available next year.
The students Archer
chose to work with him in
the Harris/Wanberg region
next year were approached
in January so they could
register for the class.
However, his appointments
were not made public until
much later. Alison Copping,
an Area Coordinator,
estimated that Residence
Life was informed of the
decision four weeks ago.
Archer contends that
he made the selection of the
seven students with "the
full authority and consent"
of President James Ash.
Ash could not be reached
for comment at press time.
Archer said the
Faculty Masters program is
structured to give the
Masters the option of
choosing their RA's
themselves, or involving
the Office of Residence Life
to varying extents.
The other two
Faculty Masters, Bill
Wadsworth and Dallas
Rhodes, both geology
professors, will make their
decisions in conjunction
with residence life,
Wadsworth said.
"I feel very
dependent on the
professional RA staff
because they know the
candidates better... I'm
content to be informed by
them," Wadsworth added.
Brian Krylowicz, an
RA in Harris, expressed
concern that Archer didn't
give aspiring RA's an equal
chance to be selected.
Please see ARCHER, page 3.
SPEAR Show
See Page 4.
Archer To Clamp Down On Pledging.
Societies Feel Scrutiny is Unfair
By Marianne Vaughn
QC Staff Writer
In a guest editorial last week,
Dick Archer, dean of College
Life, wrote on the concerns of
society pledging and hazing,
saying that hazing of any kind is
illegal, dangerous, and wrong.
Since then, Archer has made
tentative plans to form a task force
for further research and action on
the matter.
The task force will include
both students and faculty. No
mention, however, of including
society members has been made.
Archer has said that pledging
activities include making pledges
pass a live snake between their
mouths and locking pledges in an
attic for an evening, and that
pledges, society members, and
even parents have complained to
him about pledging activities.
"Hazing has got to stop at
Whittier College. Period," said
Archer.
However, society members see
this as a personal attack.
"They're picking on us," said
Ramon Juarez, an alumni
member of the Orthogonians.
Archer said that he is looking
into the feasability of taking back
Cal Grant money given to society
members involved with hazing.
While Archer said in his
editorial that "at a recent
intersociety meeting, one
member said that 50 percent of
society members would, given
the chance, not go through
pledging again," most of the
society members who we talked
to expressed positive feelings
about pledging.
"It was a time of growing and
a learning experience," said
junior Mike Beasley, a Lancer
since last January.
"It was the best time of my life,"
said Jen Turner, a senior and
member of the Athenians. "[I
had] the best memories, so much
fun, and I felt loved."
Shelly Vaught, a freshman who
just completed pledging Palmers
in January, said, "Everything has
its moments. When you are going
through it, you wonder
sometimes what the point is, but
in the end, it was worth it."
"I felt proud wearing the
uniform, and the time period is
Ash Responds to Questions,
Concerns at Student Forum
fine. You couldn't develop the
same kind of intimacy if you do
it in only one day," said Vaught,
who disagrees with Archer's
proposal to shorten pledging.
In his guest editorial, Archer
made comparisons between
being a pledge and then an active,
and being an child of abusive
parents, then a child abuser.
"He's missing the point," said
Beasley.
"We don't make anyone do
anything they don't want to do,"
said Juarez.
Archer paints a different
picture. He said that some
members have lied to him about
changing pledging policies, and
that changes definitely will be
made by next year's pledging
period.
Some societies have
considered the possiblity of going
underground in order to keep
their pledging traditions.
"Whittier College students, in
my opinion, would not be
sympathetic to societies that go
underground for the right to
abuse pledges," said Archer.
By Caitlin Duffy
QC Staff Writer
Issues discussed at the forum
between students and Whittier
College president James Ash,
held last Thursday in Hoover
Lautrop, included plans to
improve Whittier College's
financial situation, use of an $18
million capitol improvement
bond, student retention, need for
a student center, resident
advisors' concerns, problems
with the Student Services
program, and the hiring of new
faculty for next year.
67 people attended the forum.
Members of the Board of
Governors, societies, resident
advisors, the Black Student
Union and faculty were there.
The gathering was an open
forum, where President Ash
responded directly to any
questions or concerns raised by
the crowd present.
In his opening statement, Ash
immediately adressed the
school's financial concerns and
said that the college is not in debt.
"We are not in the red," said
Ash.
Ash presented some plans to
improve Whittier's financial
situation. "By increasing
enrollment to 1,200 gradually
over 4-5 years, we will be
producing tuition revenue," said
Ash.
Next year's freshman class will
have 330 students, 25 more than
FINALLY
Inauguration
Is Tomorrow
the class of 1993. Ash said the
student faculty ratio will stay the
same due to added faculty next
year.
Plans for the use of the $18
million capitol improvement
bond were announced. $7 million
will be used to refinance current
debt at a more favorable interest
rate of 12 to seven percent. $4
million will be used for new
housing after enrollment is
increased. $4 million will go to
residence hall renovations and
construction of residences for the
Faculty Masters Program. The
remaining $3 million is being
used to complete the Performing
Arts Center.
Student concerns about
increasing retention were voiced
throughout the forum, and Ash
agreed that something should be
done to help this problem.
"I'm optimistic that the
Faculty Masters Program will
help; it has been proven to
increase retention 10 to 15
percent at other colleges
incorporating this program," said
Ash. Ash added that providing
more financial aid would also be
effective in improving student
retention.
ASWC president Paul
McManus suggested, "refocusing
on needs of students" as a
Please see ISSUE page 3.
Bv Tammy Monohan
QC Staff Writer
There will be plenty of pomp
and circumstance on Friday
March 16, as Whittier College
inaugurates its twelfth president,
James L. Ash, Jr.
According to Sandra Sarr,
director of Public Relations, more
than 850 people are expected to
attend the ceremony in Harris
Ampitheater, including facult
staff, students, special guests, and
100 delegates from colleges
nation-wide.
"The inauguration vvas
mandated by the Board of
■Trustees who felt that this is a rare
occasion, something special, and
should be honored as such," said
Sarr.
The funds to cover the cost of
the event were provided by
special contributions.
Please see ASH page 3.
St. Patrick's Day
See Page 5
Lost Weekend
See Page
_

QUAKER CAMPU
Volume LXXVI, Number 16
The Voice of Whittier College Since 1914
March 15, 1990
Center of Attention: Dean of College Life Dick
Archer has brought controversy upon himself
recently with decisions on pledging policy and
a controversial selection of Resident Advisors
for next year.
Students Unhappy Over Lack
Of Communication In RA Issue
By Chris Perkins
QC Managing Editor
A decision by Dick
Archer, dean of College Life,
to hand-pick the seven
Resident Advisors who will
serve under him in his role
as a Faculty Master next
year has disgruntled many
current and prospective
RA's.
Archer's action is a
break from past years, in
which decisions regarding
RA positions have been
made by the director of
Residence Life and his or
her staff.
The students involved
complain that Archer's
action, and the delay in
notifying prospective RA's
of his decision, is unfair to
those who had considered
applying for an RA position
next year.
"There's a selection
process which has been
followed for years on this
campus, and this process
has been ignored," said
Sherrie Hill, a current RA
in Ball Hall.
Those who criticize the
process say that students
who registered for INTD 15:
Residential Living
Management, a
prerequisite for the paid
position of residence
advisor, have much less
chance of obtaining an RA
position with only 16 slots
available, instead of the
full 23 they had understood
to be available next year.
The students Archer
chose to work with him in
the Harris/Wanberg region
next year were approached
in January so they could
register for the class.
However, his appointments
were not made public until
much later. Alison Copping,
an Area Coordinator,
estimated that Residence
Life was informed of the
decision four weeks ago.
Archer contends that
he made the selection of the
seven students with "the
full authority and consent"
of President James Ash.
Ash could not be reached
for comment at press time.
Archer said the
Faculty Masters program is
structured to give the
Masters the option of
choosing their RA's
themselves, or involving
the Office of Residence Life
to varying extents.
The other two
Faculty Masters, Bill
Wadsworth and Dallas
Rhodes, both geology
professors, will make their
decisions in conjunction
with residence life,
Wadsworth said.
"I feel very
dependent on the
professional RA staff
because they know the
candidates better... I'm
content to be informed by
them," Wadsworth added.
Brian Krylowicz, an
RA in Harris, expressed
concern that Archer didn't
give aspiring RA's an equal
chance to be selected.
Please see ARCHER, page 3.
SPEAR Show
See Page 4.
Archer To Clamp Down On Pledging.
Societies Feel Scrutiny is Unfair
By Marianne Vaughn
QC Staff Writer
In a guest editorial last week,
Dick Archer, dean of College
Life, wrote on the concerns of
society pledging and hazing,
saying that hazing of any kind is
illegal, dangerous, and wrong.
Since then, Archer has made
tentative plans to form a task force
for further research and action on
the matter.
The task force will include
both students and faculty. No
mention, however, of including
society members has been made.
Archer has said that pledging
activities include making pledges
pass a live snake between their
mouths and locking pledges in an
attic for an evening, and that
pledges, society members, and
even parents have complained to
him about pledging activities.
"Hazing has got to stop at
Whittier College. Period," said
Archer.
However, society members see
this as a personal attack.
"They're picking on us," said
Ramon Juarez, an alumni
member of the Orthogonians.
Archer said that he is looking
into the feasability of taking back
Cal Grant money given to society
members involved with hazing.
While Archer said in his
editorial that "at a recent
intersociety meeting, one
member said that 50 percent of
society members would, given
the chance, not go through
pledging again," most of the
society members who we talked
to expressed positive feelings
about pledging.
"It was a time of growing and
a learning experience," said
junior Mike Beasley, a Lancer
since last January.
"It was the best time of my life,"
said Jen Turner, a senior and
member of the Athenians. "[I
had] the best memories, so much
fun, and I felt loved."
Shelly Vaught, a freshman who
just completed pledging Palmers
in January, said, "Everything has
its moments. When you are going
through it, you wonder
sometimes what the point is, but
in the end, it was worth it."
"I felt proud wearing the
uniform, and the time period is
Ash Responds to Questions,
Concerns at Student Forum
fine. You couldn't develop the
same kind of intimacy if you do
it in only one day," said Vaught,
who disagrees with Archer's
proposal to shorten pledging.
In his guest editorial, Archer
made comparisons between
being a pledge and then an active,
and being an child of abusive
parents, then a child abuser.
"He's missing the point," said
Beasley.
"We don't make anyone do
anything they don't want to do,"
said Juarez.
Archer paints a different
picture. He said that some
members have lied to him about
changing pledging policies, and
that changes definitely will be
made by next year's pledging
period.
Some societies have
considered the possiblity of going
underground in order to keep
their pledging traditions.
"Whittier College students, in
my opinion, would not be
sympathetic to societies that go
underground for the right to
abuse pledges," said Archer.
By Caitlin Duffy
QC Staff Writer
Issues discussed at the forum
between students and Whittier
College president James Ash,
held last Thursday in Hoover
Lautrop, included plans to
improve Whittier College's
financial situation, use of an $18
million capitol improvement
bond, student retention, need for
a student center, resident
advisors' concerns, problems
with the Student Services
program, and the hiring of new
faculty for next year.
67 people attended the forum.
Members of the Board of
Governors, societies, resident
advisors, the Black Student
Union and faculty were there.
The gathering was an open
forum, where President Ash
responded directly to any
questions or concerns raised by
the crowd present.
In his opening statement, Ash
immediately adressed the
school's financial concerns and
said that the college is not in debt.
"We are not in the red," said
Ash.
Ash presented some plans to
improve Whittier's financial
situation. "By increasing
enrollment to 1,200 gradually
over 4-5 years, we will be
producing tuition revenue," said
Ash.
Next year's freshman class will
have 330 students, 25 more than
FINALLY
Inauguration
Is Tomorrow
the class of 1993. Ash said the
student faculty ratio will stay the
same due to added faculty next
year.
Plans for the use of the $18
million capitol improvement
bond were announced. $7 million
will be used to refinance current
debt at a more favorable interest
rate of 12 to seven percent. $4
million will be used for new
housing after enrollment is
increased. $4 million will go to
residence hall renovations and
construction of residences for the
Faculty Masters Program. The
remaining $3 million is being
used to complete the Performing
Arts Center.
Student concerns about
increasing retention were voiced
throughout the forum, and Ash
agreed that something should be
done to help this problem.
"I'm optimistic that the
Faculty Masters Program will
help; it has been proven to
increase retention 10 to 15
percent at other colleges
incorporating this program," said
Ash. Ash added that providing
more financial aid would also be
effective in improving student
retention.
ASWC president Paul
McManus suggested, "refocusing
on needs of students" as a
Please see ISSUE page 3.
Bv Tammy Monohan
QC Staff Writer
There will be plenty of pomp
and circumstance on Friday
March 16, as Whittier College
inaugurates its twelfth president,
James L. Ash, Jr.
According to Sandra Sarr,
director of Public Relations, more
than 850 people are expected to
attend the ceremony in Harris
Ampitheater, including facult
staff, students, special guests, and
100 delegates from colleges
nation-wide.
"The inauguration vvas
mandated by the Board of
■Trustees who felt that this is a rare
occasion, something special, and
should be honored as such," said
Sarr.
The funds to cover the cost of
the event were provided by
special contributions.
Please see ASH page 3.
St. Patrick's Day
See Page 5
Lost Weekend
See Page
_